BLENNIIDAE


Blenniella cyanostigma, 4.1 cm SL
(preserved specimen; photo by Koichi Shibukawa)


Blenniella cyanostigma
(Bleeker, 1849)
Redspotted Blenniella

D XII-XIV, 18-22; A II, 20-23; P1 12-15 (usually 14); P2 I, 3.

Body elongate. Single low occipital crest present in males. Single small cirrus on nape on both sides. Supraorbital region with 2-11 tentacles with 2-11 short branches at tip. Nasal with small and palmate cirrus. Gill opening continuous across ventral surface of head. Soft rays of caudal fin branched. Color: body pale in females and bluish gray to brown in males; females with 8 double, light red to dusky bars, partially interrupted by a pale stripe, many bars containing in vertical series; males with up to 9 dark brown to reddish blotches or short double bars along upper side of body; head with small red or orange spots and lines; lower half of caudal fin blackish in males; pectoral fin with small red spots. Size: attaining to 13.5 cm in males and 11.5 cm in females. Distribution: ranging from east coast of Africa to Ryukyu Islands and to New Caledonia. Remarks: occurring in reef crest or fringing reefs exposed to surf in shallow waters. (Hisashi Imamura)